Meet Kira!

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort would like you to meet the newest member of our Wildlife Academy family... meet Kira!

Kira is a Bengal Tiger and is approximately six months old. She currently inhabits the Wildlife Academy Nursery and will reside there for the remainder of the winter. In Spring 2012, Kira will be relocated to a larger outdoor enclosure as part of our Animal Habitats. Currently, guests can meet Kira on our Safari Tour or Nursery Tours.


General Bengal Tiger facts:

• Bengals are the most common sub-species of tiger.
  
• They are native to India and other portions of Southeast Asia.
  
• Tigers are the largest member of the cat family.
  
• Bengal tigers are carnivores (meat eaters).
  
• They are solitary (meaning they live alone, not in groups).
  
• Tigers usually hunt at night and will drag their kill to a safe place, such as up a tree, to eat it. They can consume more than 70lbs in one sitting and will then not eat for days.
  
• They are excellent swimmers.
  
• Each tiger has a pattern of stripes unique to each individual (just as our fingerprints).
  
• Bengal tigers are usually brownish-orange with black stripes however, there is a rare mutation that produces white tigers.

Kira will make special appearances at our Holiday Wild Animal Shows. For more information, please contact our Wildlife Academy at 724.329.6961.


Karen Brindle
Wildlife Academy Supervisor
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Zip Away With The New Fatbird Canopy Tour!

Looking for a new and exciting way to spend your next Nemacolin summer vacation? Well the NEW FatBird Canopy Tour at the Adventure Center is just what you thrill seekers are looking for! Situated 40' in the air, this high altitude jungle gym consists of swinging tires, cargo nets, log crossings, zip-lines and much more! Eight obstacles and one zip-line wasn’t enough for the associates and Adventure Center regulars, so we decided to add three new elements and three new zip-lines to the experience. The grand finale being the 1,060' Fatbird Flyer one of the longest zip-lines in Pennsylvania! The sun is out and it’s time to enjoy summer; we hope to see you at the Adventure Center this summer.

Watch our very own Fatbird tackle the NEW Fatbird Canopy Tour. It is such an exciting addition that our Yeti friend left summer hybernation for the experience too!

Upland Bird Hunting Added To Field Club Amenities

Is the outdoorsman inside you yearning to get out? The Field Club at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is just the place for you. We now offer Upland Bird Hunting on 275 acres of groomed strips of cover planted land. Natural cover is also present, making for superb upland bird hunting. The elusive ring-necked pheasant along with the unpredictable chukar are the birds we offer for release. Hunts include a professional guide and well mannered bird dogs to provide an educational, safe and memorable hunting experience.

Our Upland Bid Hunting season runs from September through mid April, Monday – Saturday. No license is required. Young hunters must be a minimum of 12 years old and have passed a hunter safety course in their home state. A parent or guardian (18 or older) must accompany young hunters at all times. Florescent orange is required to be worn while afield and is available for use. Rental guns, along with ammunition are available at The Field Club. Field dressing of your harvest is available for an additional fee.

Discover the benefits available to your group by hosting a Corporate Hunt at The Filed Club. A great teambuilding activity, Upland Bird Hunts provide an alternative setting to strengthen bonds and trust and open doors for networking and relationship building. Corporate packages can be customized for your group. Above is a picture from our last Corporate hunt.

For more information, please contact The Nemacolin Field Club at 724.329.6770.

Chuck Groff
Upland Hunting / Sporting Clays Supervisor
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Epic Conditions At Mystic Mountain!

POWDER HOUNDS BEWARE!

70+ inches of natural snow has fallen on Mystic Mountain since December 1, 2010, keeping us on pace to crush our yearly average of 100 inches. Conditions have been fantastic and will continue to get better throughout February and early March. That’s right I said early March, we are extending our season until March 13, 2011 because our snowpack is so deep!

Great conditions are an even better excuse to take advantage of our Neighbors & Friends Nights every Friday from 2:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Our Friday night ski special includes a lift ticket and rental for just $20! New to the sport? On Fridays from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. we offer one-hour beginner lessons for just $25 per person; however, reservations are required. And, forget about the big group lessons that most resorts offer, Mystic Mountain's Ski School prides itself by offering one-on-one lessons so you get the most out of your time.

Saturday night the fun continues with our new Mystic Mountain Winter Concert Series! Come to the Hitchin' Post and experience live bands starting at 8:00 p.m. There is no better way to celebrate a day of skiing, then sipping on some cold beverages and listening to live music.

If cabin fever is setting in for you this winter... get our of your funk by strapping on those long boards and enjoying a day with us at Mystic Mountain! And you never know,with conditions like this... the Yeti even makes an appearance or two!

COME SHRED THE GNAR!

Matt Grobe
Director of Activities
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Meet Prince of Nemacolin...

Meet Nemacolin newest member of the family! Prince of Nemacolin was born at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort on July 6, 2010. His mother and father both reside at the Resort and are part of our Wildlife Academy. The Father is a White Lion, the mom is not but a white gene carrier.

Want to see the lions? Our Wildlife Habitats are free to the public and can be viewed by car. However, we recommend parking your vehicle and walking between Habitats.

Prince of Nemacolin is currently being featured in our Wild Animal Shows which takes place each Saturday at 4:00 p.m.


White Lion Fun Facts:

• White cubs occasionally turn up among tawny lions in the Timbavati and Kruger National Park regions.
• White lions are not a separate subspecies.
• The population of the white lion is unknown but the most recent count was in 2004 and 30 were alive.
• White lions are not albino lions. The white color is caused by a recessive gene known as a color inhibitor.
• It has not been scientifically proven; however, many claim the white lions suffer a distinct disadvantage in nature because they are highly visible to prey and / or hunters.

NEW Off-Road Driving Academy...

NEW! Nemacolin Woodlands Resort's Off-Road Driving Academy now features the JEEP Rubicons. Get behind the wheel and take to the course this summer!




1-Hour and 30-Minute Instructional Series and 30-Minute Ride Alongs are available!
Please contact a Resort Sales Specialist at 866.344.6957 for more details.

Meet Stitch!

Meet Stitch!

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort's Wildlife Academy is dedicated to providing interactive entertainment and live animal programs with an emphasis on education. With a large variety of animal species calling Nemacolin home, we are proud to welcome the newest member of our animal family, Stitch, a Pensillata Marmoset.

Some fun facts about Marmosets:

• Smallest primate in the world.
• Even when full grown a Marmoset will weigh less than a pound.
• Marmosets are found in the Tropical Regions of the Americas.
• Marmosets feed on plant exudate's such as gum, sap and resin, as well as an insectivore diet.
  

The Off-Road Driving Academy Is Back!

The Off Road Driving Academy At Nemacolin will be in full force this summer with the addition of the Jeep Rubicons! Operating daily for Instructional Series and Ride Alongs, these four door Rubicons are the most capable off-road vehicle to date at the Academy.

The Rubicons can tackle 40 degree side slopes and 60 degree inclines with ease. The vehicle is equipped with a rock track transfer case which allows the vehicle to go through rock gardens you wouldn’t dream of entering.

Our Instructional Series is geared toward teaching you the specifics of the vehicle and how to operate it safely in the field. The Rock Course at the Adventure Center that will allow you to get comfortable with how the vehicle handles rock crawls, side slopes, inclines, log crossings and water fording ponds. After each member has gone through the course, the rest of the time will be dedicated to driving on some of our 20+ miles of trails on property. The total duration of the trip lasts 1.5 hours and is offered at 9:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m and 3:30 p.m.

We also offer a Ride Along where one of our professional off-road drivers will navigate the vehicle through the Rock Course then out to the trails for a total trip time of 30 minutes. This trip is great for a family that wants to tour the property and get a little muddy while doing so. These trips are offered at 11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Take to the trails during your next Nemacolin visit. Our Off-Road Driving Academy is sure to treat the family with an experience you’ll never forget! Check out the video and see what I mean.

Matt Grobe
Director of Recreation
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Take Flight... New Fatbird Flyer Opening

Reach speeds of 60 mph on Nemacolin's NEW Fatbird Flyer, a 1,060' Zip Line. Soar over Mystic Mountain and view the Laurel Highlands at 300' in the air.

WATCH VIDEO



The Fatbird Flyer is opening the weekend of May 15, 2010. Schedule your ride today, by contacting a Resort Sales Specialist at 866.344.6957.

Coming Soon...

Watch the construction and see the site for the New Zip Line being built at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. The Fatbird Flyer is 1,060' feet long and can reach speeds of 60 mph. The scheduled open date is May 15, 2010.

WATCH VIDEO

See you soon at Nemacolin!

NEW - Little Tykes Ropes Course!

NEW this season... The Little Tykes Ropes Course!

Mimicked after our 40' and 20' Courses, the Little Tykes Course is a great option and thrill for little ones to be just like Mom, Dad and their siblings. The course consists of two obstacle elements and a 120' Zip Line. Each child wears a harness and is tethered to the course, just like the adult course.

WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW!

Important Details:

• Must be between the ages of 4 - 8 years old.
• Maximum weight - 200 lbs.

To schedule the Little Tykes Ropes Course during your next Nemacolin visit, please contact a Resort Sales Specialist at 866.344.6957.

Red Sheep Have Been Born!

The best thing about working in the Recreation Department at Nemacolin is the "unpredictable factor" each day presents. You often hear... "Expect The Unexpected," read and see the how "unexpected" entered my day.

The day started off like many others, until... OPERATION RESCUE the baby Red Sheep.

Nemacolin's Wildlife Academy includes a number of Wildlife Habitats or animal enclosures, each featuring a variety of animals from red sheep and zebra to lions and black bear. When a baby is born the trained and certified associates at the Wildlife Academy must retrieve the baby for a period of time for our Veterinarian Staff to perform appropriate vaccinations and to complete a physical check-up.

Back to OPERATION RESCUE... After one of our adult red sheep delivered a baby, a team of six entered the habitat to locate the baby that was hidden within the rock caves. The mission was a success and to our surprise we found twins. Check out the mission below!

RED SHEEP FAST FACTS:

• Can reach heights of up to three feet at the shoulder.


• Can weigh up to 200 pounds.


• Red Sheep are herbivorous and feed on a variety of grasses and shrubs.


• Red Sheep are found in Southwestern Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Kashmir region of India.


• Also known as Urial, Shapo or Arkhar in various parts of the world.

The Wildlife Academy at Nemacolin is dedicated to providing interactive entertainment and live animal programs with an emphasis on education.

Matt Grobe
Director of Activities
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Historic Winter!

Wow, what a winter it has been! We have accumulated over 100 inches of natural snowfall during the month of February, making it the snowiest month ever recorded at Mystic Mountain!! Now I know a lot of you are sick of the snow but trust me when I say that March will be the best time of the year to ski Mystic Mountain.

Why is that? Well for one our snow depth ranges from 55-80 inches of base (180 inches this year)! So the conditions are going to be epic all the way until spring. But the number one reason will be the weather. March typically delivers temperatures ranging from 43-60 degrees in the afternoon, and if you have never experienced true “Spring Skiing” this year will be your chance. Soft snow conditions will allow beginners to master their turns and advanced skiers will rip down the mountain and soak in the sun. Don’t wait for the snow to melt to start getting in shape for summer.

Get to Mystic Mountain for your last chance to ski this historic winter!!

See how Mystic Mountain Compares to some popular Colorado ski destinations:

Breckenridge - Colorado:
Base - 70 inches
Snowfall To Date - 194 inches

Crested Butte - Colorado:
Base - 60 inches
Snowfall To Date - 188 inches

Vail - Colorado:
Base - 48 inches
Snowfall To Date - 208 inches

Mystic Mountain - Pennsylvania:
Base - 70 inches
Snowfall To Date - 190 inches

Matt Grobe
Director of Activities
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Some Friends Stop By!

Looking for some outdoor fun? Be sure to check out Mystic Mountain this weekend!
Above average snowfall, paired with our snowmaking efforts have created fantastic ski conditions. The weather forecast is calling for warmer temperatures going into this weekend, so expect the feeling of early spring skiing at its best!

Check out video from last weekend's snowfall. Some friends stop by!



To schedule your Mystic Mountain activities please contact a Resort Sales Specialist at 866.344.6957.

Yeti Sighting on Mystic Mountain!

Saturday's snowfall brought approximately 12" of snowfall, reduced visibility, high winds and... a Yeti? This rare sighting was caught on film. Check out video below.




Mystic Mountain is scheduled to open December 24, 2009 with 100% of terrain open! Mystic Mountain's average base is approximately 16" - 36," snowmaking is still in progress and additional natural snowfall is expected throughout the week. Get ready for one snowtastic opening weekend!

WARNING! YOU WILL GET DIRTY!

The new TOMCAR Experience at the Off Road Driving Academy has taken Nemacolin by storm! You can’t help but ask questions when you see one of these vehicles flying by. If you have driven a Hummer on Nemacolin’s Off Road Course, you know the terrain. The 17 miles of trails is rough, steep, dirty and filled with rocks, obstacles and water. In a Hummer, your speed doesn’t get above 5-8 miles per hour through the rough terrain. TOMCARS handle the same terrain at over 20 miles per hour!

The trails have been modified to provide one of the most thrilling experiences you can have in an off-road vehicle. Mud, water, rock, steeps, whatever the challenge, the TOMCAR handles it all and FAST! The experience is hard to describe, but the video helps sum up the excitement.

Anyway, check out the video and read a few quotes from Nemacolin guests last week. Want to take a ride? Book your trip using our Stay Planner. Click to the Activities section and scroll down to the Off Road Driving Academy.

“I can’t believe how dirty I got! It was awesome!” - David P. from Rockville, MD

“Absolutely, better than any roller coaster!” – Steve J. from Hershey, PA

“Blew away the Hummer Experience” – Ken S. from Pittsburgh, PA

Let There Be Rock!

The new TOMCARS arrived last night and our staff is excited to train today and tomorrow and have them ready for guests by the weekend. If you are coming to Nemacolin this weekend, you HAVE to try the new TOMCAR adventures through the mountains of the Laurel Highlands and on the man made obstacles along the Off Road Driving Academy.

Unique. Unmatched. Extraordinary. TOMCAR has all these qualities and many more. From its origins as a fast, tough, off road military vehicle, TOMCAR has evolved into an ultra-functional, durable and versatile machine fit for commercial and private use in the most demanding conditions.

Unlike mass-market ATVs and UTVs, TOMCAR is designed and built to a professional grade standard, with a design that uses the highest quality materials and components. From its immensely strong, fully-welded steel tube chassis to its heavy duty four-wheel independent suspension, the USA-built TOMCAR is designed to be safe, rugged and extremely dependable.

Powered by a choice of efficient, reliable gasoline or diesel engines, TOMCAR brings together the core values of an all terrain vehicle that is unmatched in the market. With its low center of gravity, long suspension travel, low vehicle weight and high ground clearance, TOMCAR is fast, maneuverable and drives like no other off-road vehicle. TOMCAR truly can go ANYWHERE AND BACK™.

Check out this TOMCAR video and book your trip today by clicking here! See you this weekend!

Blood, Sweat, and Gears to all……….

Woke up this morning to a “Blue Bird” day at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa. The only thing to do was saddle up on my bike and hit the gnarly single track at the Adventure Center.

The “Yellow Loop” as they call it was a very technical 1.7-mile joy ride through the hardwood forests of the Laurel Highlands. The trail starts out by the resort's Greenhouse and continues on a paved road towards the Maples Townhomes. Once you enter the woods you encounter wickedly awesome rock gardens that send vibrations up and down your body as you traverse the rock covered grounds. An expert? Test your balance skills on our “Fun Box” at the top. After a few attempts, I continued to cruise my way through the grassy meadows of the ski slopes. In my opinion, the views from this section of the trail are by far among the best. I would recommend allowing yourself a moment here to catch a breather and relax while taking in the views.

The final .9 miles is back in the hardwoods for single-track action. There are numerous log crossings and rock gardens to conquer. Heed the warning, the last .5 miles is a steady uphill climb that will keep your lungs bumping and calves burning.

Needless to say the ride had everything to offer from majestic views to a challenging single-track. Definitely a must ride when you go to Nemacolin!

Blood, Sweat, and Gears to all……….

Matt Grobe

Activities Manager
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Another Day In The Life At Nemacolin!

Another Day in the Life at Nemacolin!

Monday afternoon, one of Nemacolin's resident Black Bears thought the weather was just too nice to stay home. Beardinine managed to pull and claw her way out of her enclosure into the holding pen area and seemed to be going for more! In the end, she decided to stay home with a little coaxing and some bribes from Nemacolin's talented Animal Program Team.

They are notoriously curious animals and if you have ever witnessed the Black Bears at Nemacolin playing in their pool, you would understand.

Mandy Burnsworth, Nemacolin's Animal Curator, said "Last week it was catching baby bison and finding out our female lion will be giving birth soon, this week it is a fugitive black bear. I really love my job!"

You really never know what could be around the next corner at Nemacolin.